Nurse Practitioner Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $134,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $134,485/year (≈ $64.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $156,236 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 stands at $134,485, reflecting a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $136,864. The salary range for this role extends from $100,709 at the 10th percentile to $154,161 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the earning potential flexibility in the local job market. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and points to a growing demand for these healthcare professionals amidst a backdrop of evolving clinic structures. Particularly, the choice between traditional W-2 employed positions and independent 1099 telehealth opportunities is influential, as the hourly pay tends to vary significantly across these employment models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,709 | $48.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,623 | $59.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,485 | $64.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,509 | $69.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,161 | $74.11 |
Median Salary Position
1.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,452 (2026 est.). At $134,485, the local median is 1.74% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be above the median
How Cape Girardeau Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $134,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $133,285 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -1.74% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $134,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 0.90% above the Missouri state average of $133,285.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $134,485 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $156,236 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,911
2025 BLS Actual
$130,000
2026 Current Est.
$134,485
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,911 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $107,911 (2019) to $130,000 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,214 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $100,709 – $123,623 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,623 – $134,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,485 – $144,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,509 – $154,161 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Cape Girardeau
Local job market dynamics also impact the nurse practitioner pay in Cape Girardeau, MO, where about 200 nurse practitioners are currently employed. With a cost-of-living index of 86.078, the purchasing power for salaries in this region is relatively favorable compared to national standards. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics, which often offer enhanced remuneration packages, contrasted with urgent care facilities and telehealth platforms. Factors contributing to the variation in compensation include specialty focus—mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) tend to command higher salaries due to the increasing demand for mental health services—as well as the existence of full-practice authority, productivity bonuses, and collaboration agreement costs that alter earning capacity. To maximize earnings in Cape Girardeau, aspiring nurse practitioners should consider seeking positions in high-demand specialties or exploring telehealth options, all while being mindful of the local cost-of-living implications on take-home pay.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $130,000 for nurse practitionersin the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov